College Sports Blog

5-star Lancaster big man Elijah Thomas talks monster game, recruiting

Lancaster's Elijah Thomas (15) attempts a shot during the first-round of the Dallas ISD-Coca Cola high school basketball tournament against Carter at Ellis Davis Field House in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. Lancaster won 66-59. (BRANDON WADE/Special Contributor)

Lancaster big man Elijah Thomas couldn’t have ended the regular season on a higher note.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pounder dominated down low with 39 points and 20 rebounds as Lancaster topped Irving MacArthur 87-66 in the Metroplex Challenge. It was Lancaster’s last game before the postseason.

“Without my team, none of this would have happened and most importantly without God, none of this would have happened,” Thomas said of his performance. “But most importantly, our job is to win a 4A state championship, and we work hard everyday to get that.

“I think we can win a state championship easy. We just have to keep working hard and put the pieces together. We have to trust in God and our coach. “

While Thomas’ main focus is brining a title to Lancaster in his first year with the program — he transferred from Prime Prep– he’s also been busy with the recruiting process.

A five-star prospect, Thomas holds offers from just about every school in the country. He cut his list down to 24 a few months ago but is taking the process slow and weighing all his options. But two Big 12 schools are really making an impression.

“I talk to Texas pretty often and Oklahoma State every day. Those are really good programs on and off the court,” Thomas said. “They look like places you can have fun. They’re good looks, but I’m waiting to see what Admon Gilder, Jawun Evans, King McClure, Tyler Davis, DJ Hogg and Austin Grandstaff do. I want to stay close to home and play with my friends.”

All six of those prospects have visited or plan to visit SMU. Thomas has been to the Mustangs’ last three home games and has developed quite the rapport with Larry Brown and his staff.

On his most recent visit, Thomas witnessed SMU knock off a ranked opponent, then-No. 7 Cincinnati, for the first time in almost 30 years.

“I thought it was cool. It was a great game and a great atmosphere, and that’s what us recruits love to see,” Thomas said earlier in the week. “It was a great experience for us. The team played really hard, and I think Larry Brown is doing a tremendous job there. That win was great for the program, and I would have to say that game was the best I’ve been to.”

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